Cats. All I could see was cats. Cats in trees. Cats eating mice and birds. Cats grooming each other. Cats playing. Cats. Cats. Cats.
There were cats everywhere. Cats were exactly what I didn't want to be around. There were too many cats, to many people who will ask questions, want to talk, be friends, and I'll get too attached. I almost turned to leave and walk out of the camp but Squirrel Paw was behind me. "WHO'S THAT?" a small pale grey kitten ran up to us. "Is he a prisoner?" she asked. "No Holly Kit," Bramble Claw said "Just a passerby, he's here to talk to Fire Star." A light brown tabby kitten ran up next to Holly Kit "He's going to talk to Fire Star!" she asked, eyes wide "Yes Larch Kit, now go play with your mother." Leaf Paw instructed. I watched the two kittens run over to a dark grey flecked she-cat. Leaf Paw turned to us, "Let's go." she said and jerked her head towards a large high rock. We all walked towards the high rock, all the cats around stopped what they were doing and looked at us. It's like they haven't seen another cat before…I thought bitterly. I tried not to feel so self-conscious, trying to ignore the fact that these cats were sleek and muscular and toned and I was skinny and scraggly and chewed up and spit out. We climbed up the rock and went through the lichen and into the cave. There was a bright orange tom sitting in a moss nest. He looked surprised to see us "Bramble Claw, what brings
you here?" he asked "and who is this cat?" "This is Crow, we found him sleeping on the edge of Thunder Clan territory," Bramble Claw explained "He was peaceful and wasn't stealing food." Well at least he's in my defense…I thought. "Well…if he's not a threat…" Fire Star said standing up and locking his bright green eyes with mine "would you like to stay in Thunder Clan for a while?"
I stepped back, I was so sure they'd chase me out "um, I'll stay for awhile, but don't be surprised if I'm gone soon." Fire Star smiled "Okay, I'll oblige to that, come on we must announce this at The High Rock." I padded out after Fire Star noticing Leaf Paw and Bramble Claw staring at me with mixed expressions. "All cats old enough to catch there own prey, gather by the High Rock!" Fire Star yowled. I padded next to him and sat down. "This is Crow. He is going to be an apprentice. He will be treated just like any other Thunder Clan cat. His new warrior name will be Crow Paw." Fire Star announced. The cats were silent but soon the two kittens I saw before, -Holly Kit and Larch Kit- began to yowl "Crow Paw! Crow Paw! Crow Paw!" Soon all the cats including Bramble Claw and Leaf Paw and even Squirrel Paw were chanting "Crow Paw!
Crow Paw! Crow Paw!" The chanting filled my ears and pretty soon I couldn't hear anything else. After the chanting died down, Fire Star instructed Bramble Claw to lead me to the apprentices den.